Common ground stud module

ABSTRACT

A wiring module has a plurality of sockets within an insulating case. A grounding stud suitable for mounting the module on a metal support has an end which extends through the case, a flange that abuts the outside of the case and a screw which clamps some of the socket structure against the inside of the case.

0 United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,829,815

Rutkowski Aug. 13, 1974 1 COMMON GROUND STUD MODULE 2,905,923 9/1959 Hammerly 339/219 R 3,587,029 6/1971 Knowles 339/14 R [75] Inventor: Ruflwwsk" Prospect 3,597,726 8/1971 Appleton et al 339/198 P [73] Assignee: Appleton Electric Company, P i E i B bby R, Gay

g Assistant Etuminer-Robert A. Hafer [22] Filed: y 2 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Darbo, RObEI'tSOl'l &

Vandenburgh [21] Appl. No.: 375,960

AB [52] US. Cl. 339/14 R, 339/219 R, 339/198 R, [57] STRACT 339/262 A wiring module has a plurality of sockets within an [51] Int. Cl H011 3/06 insulating case. A grounding stud suitable for mount- [58] Field of Search 339/14 R, 14 L, 198, 19, V ing the module on a metal support has an end which 339/219, 217 R, 272 R, 262 extends through the case, a flange that abuts the outside of the case and a screw which clamps some of the [56] References Cited socket structure against the inside of the case.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 2,748,365 5/1956 Speck 339/198 N COMMON GROUND STUD MODULE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a simple and effective structure for utilizing a wiring module for obtaining ground connections in an electrical apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section through the bottom cap of the wir- DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements.

The disclosed embodiment of the present invention is for use with a wiring module of the type disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,597,726, granted Aug. 3, 1971, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a module includes an insulating case having sidewalls, a fragment of which is seen at in FIG. 1, and a bottom cap 11. Within the case (at the front side of cap 11) are a plurality of metallic sockets for receiving plugs, one of which is seen at 12 in FIG. 1. These sockets comprise a plurality of fixed socket parts 13, respective loose socket parts 14 and respective rings 15 which hold the two socket parts together. While various arrangements of the sockets can be employed, they are normally positioned in rows with the fixed socket parts 13 of each row being connected by bands 16. The adjacent rows are connected by straps 17. Normally the fixed socket parts 13, the bands 16 and the straps 17 are integrally formed from a single piece of metal. After that metal has been shaped to the required configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 1) the loose socket parts are put in place and the bands 15 slip over the two socket parts so as to frictionally hold the parts together.

In the present invention there is a mounting stud, generally 20. It is formed of metaL-Between the ends are a pair of planar abutments 21. The end of the stud that is to be external of the module is threaded, as seen at 22, so as to receive a nut 23. At the other side of abutment 21, the end of the stud is, on one dimension, formed along the same radius about the axis 24 of the stud as is the periphery of abutments 21, while on the other two sides it has spaced parallel walls 25. Thereby, this end of the stud has sides which are of different lengths from axis 24 and when put in an opening 26 of the same configuration in cap 11, the stud and cap will not rotate with respect to each other. This end of the stud also has a threaded opening 27 to receive a screw 28 having a head 29. The threaded portion of this screw is of a size to fit in the opening 30 between two straps l7 and the head 29 is sufficiently small in diameter to be received between two of the fixed socket parts 13 (see FIG. 2). It is also sufficiently thin to be received below a loose socket part 14 when the socket is fully assembled (see the right sideof FIG. 2).

In order to assemble the structure, at least the two sockets at the location at which the screw 28 is to be positioned are not assembled. The group of fixed socket parts is then positioned in juxtaposition to the inner (or front) face 11a of the cap 11 and the inner end of the stud is inserted through opening 26 so that the abutments 21 bear against the outside (or rear) face of cap 11. The screw 28 is then inserted through the opening which exists by reason of the fact that the two sockets at that location are not fully assembled and the screw is threaded into opening 27 and tightened. The head 29 of the screw presses down on the two adja cent straps 17 so as to clamp the straps against the inner face 11a (the studs 11b being considered to constitute a part of the inner face for the present purposes). Thus the cap 11 is clamped between the abutment 21 and the straps 17. This securely holds the stud 20 in place as well as holding the socket groups in place. After the stud has been so mounted, the remaining sockets can be assembled by suitably positioning the loose socket halves I4 and fastening them in place by rings 15. When the module is secured to a metal plate 33, as by means of nut 23 and lock washer 34 an electrical connection is made through the stud from the mounting 33 to the sockets 12. As previously indicated, such modules may have several groups of sockets which groups are electrically isolated from each other and in that event the ground connection would only be made to the group of which the straps l7 contacted by the screw head 29 are an integral part.

I claim:

1. In a wiring module including a bottom cap of insulating material having a front side and a back side, means defining a plurality of sockets positioned at the front side of the cap, and a housing of insulating material about said sockets, the improvement wherein said module is to be used with a metallic body and comprismg:

said means including a member defining a plurality of fixed socket parts positioned in two rows which rows are in spaced parallel planes, with portions connecting the socket parts in both of said rows and thus at least some of said portions extending across the space between the rows, said member comprising a single piece of metal with said parts and said portions being integral,

mounting means of electrical material positioned between said rows and extending through said cap for securing said body to said bottom cap and thereby forming an electrical connection to the body, said mounting means engaging at least some of said portions which extend across said space of and securing the member to the cap and thereby being in electrical contact with the sockets of the means that includes said member.

2. In a wiring module including a bottom cap of insulating material having a front side and a back side, a plurality of sockets positioned at the front side of the cap, and a housing of insulating material about said sockets, the improvement wherein said module is to be used with a metallic body and comprising:

said bottom cap having an opening therethrough,

lating material having a front side and a back side, a plurality of sockets positioned at the front side of the cap, and a housing of insulating material about said sockets, the improvement wherein said module is to be used with a metallic body and comprising:

mounting means of electrical material for securing said body to said bottom cap and thereby forming an electrical connection to the body, said means being in electrical contact with at least some of said sockets, said mounting means comprising a stud 5 formed about an axis and having a flange interme diate the ends thereof, one end of said stud extending through said opening with said flange abutting said cap at the outside thereof, the other end of the stud being threaded for attachment of the stud to the body, means secured to said one end and forming a head overlying internal portions of the module.

3. In a wiring module including a bottom cap of insusaid sockets being positioned in two rows each being at a respective side of an axis with straps connecting the two rows, each strap being positioned at a respective side of the axis,

said bottom cap having an opening therethrough,

mounting means of electrical material for securing said body to said bottom cap and thereby forming an electrical connection to the body, said means being in electrical contact with at least some of said sockets, said mounting means comprising a stud formed about said axis and having a flange intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said stud extending through said opening with said flange abutting said cap at the outside thereof, the other end of the stud being threaded, means secured to said one end and forming a head overlying internal portions of 35 the module, said head overlying said straps with the straps being trapped between the head and the front side of the cap and in contact with the head and cap, the back side of the cap being against said flange, whereby the head holds the plurality of sockets onto the stud and forms an electrical connection therebetween and also cap is held between said flange and said straps.

4. in a module as set forth in claim 3, wherein said opening and said one end have a cross-sectional config uration in which some portions of the periphery of each is at a greater distance from said axis than the remaining portions whereby the end will not rotate in the opening, said means forming a head comprising a screw threaded into said one end;

5. In a module as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said sockets comprises a fixed socket part, a loose socket part and means to hold the two socket parts together, said straps and said fixed socket parts being integral, between said straps said fixed socket parts being the outside of said two rows and being spaced apart a distance such that said head is received therebetween,

said head being between the loose socket parts and the straps, said head having a diameter larger than the distance between the two rows of fully assembled sockets, whereby with the loose socket parts of the sockets at the head location removed the head may be put in place and after the head is put in place the sockets may be fully assembled over the sockets.

6. In a module as set forth in claim 5, wherein said opening and said one end have a cross-sectional configuration in which some portions of the periphery of each is at a greater distance from said axis than the remaining portions whereby the end will not rotate in the opening, said means forming a head comprising a screw threaded into said one end. 

1. In a wiring module including a bottom cap of insulating material having a front side and a back side, means defining a plurality of sockets positioned at the front side of the cap, and a housing of insulating material about said sockets, the improvement wherein said module is to be used with a metallic body and comprising: said means including a member defining a plurality of fixed socket parts positioned in two rows which rows are in spaced parallel planes, with portions connecting the socket parts in both of said rows and thus at least some of said portions extending across the space between the rows, said member comprising a single piece of metal with said parts and said portions being integral, mounting means of electrical material positioned between said rows and extending through said cap for securing said body to said bottom cap and thereby forming an electrical connection to the body, said mounting means engaging at least some of said portions which extend across said space of and securing the member to the cap and thereby being in electrical contact with the sockets of the means that includes said member.
 2. In a wiring module including a bottom cap of insulating material having a front side and a back side, a plurality of sockets positioned at the front side of the cap, and a housing of insulating material about said sockets, the improvement wherein said module is to be used with a metallic body and comprising: said bottom cap having an opening therethrough, mounting means of electrical material for securing said body to said bottom cap and thereby forming an electrical connection to the body, said means being in electrical contact with at least some of said sockets, said mounting means comprising a stud formed about an axis and having a flange intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said stud extending through said opening with said flange abutting said cap at the outside thereof, the other end of the stud being threaded for attachment of the stud to the body, means secured to said one end and forming a head overlying internal portions of the module.
 3. In a wiring module including a bottom cap of insulating material having a front side and a back side, a plurality of sockets positioned at the front side of the cap, and a housing of insulating material about said sockets, the improvement wherein said module is to be used with a metallic body and comprising: said sockets being positioned in two rows each being at a respective side of an axis with straps connecting the two rows, each strap being positioned at a respective side of the axis, said bottom cap having an opening therethrough, mounting means of electrical material for securing said body to said bottom cap and thereby forming an electrical connection to the body, said means being in electrical contact with at least some of said sockets, said mounting means comprising a stud formed about said axis and having a flange intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said stud extending through said opening with said flange abutting said cap at the outside thereof, the other end of the stud being threaded, means secured to said one end and forming a head overlying internal portions of the module, said head overlying said straps with the straps being trapped between the head and the front side of the cap and in contact with the head and cap, the back side of the cap being against said flange, whereby the head holds the plurality of sockets onto the stud and forms an electrical connection therebetween and also cap is held between said flange and said straps.
 4. In a module as set forth in claim 3, wherein said opening and said one end have a cross-sectional configuration in which some portions of the periphery of each is at a greater distance from said axis than the remaining portions whereby the end will not rotate in the opening, said means forming a head comprising a screw threaded into said one end.
 5. In a module as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said sockets comprises a fixed socket part, a loose socket part and means to hold the two socket parts together, said straps and said fixed socket parts being integral, between said straps said fixed socket parts being the outside of said two rows and being spaced apart a distance such that said head is received therebetween, said head being between the loose socket parts and the straps, said head having a diameter larger than the distance between the two rows of fully assembled sockets, whereby with the loose socket parts of the sockets at the head location removed the head may be put in place and after the head is put in place the sockets may be fully assembled over the sockets.
 6. In a module as set forth in claim 5, wherein said opening and said one end have a cross-sectional configuration in which some portions of the periphery of each is at a greater distance from said axis than the remaining portions whereby the end will not rotate in the opening, said means forming a head comprising a screw threaded into said one end. 